The Smart from the Start Awards were designed to encourage preschool teachers to create practical, long-term improvements in nutrition and physical activity at their preschool. Smart from the Start has awarded almost 50 grants helping families, community members, students, and faculty make life-changing decisions for a healthier lifestyle.
Meet Our Past Winners!
Treadwell Elementary
Students from Treadwell Elementary took the stage to share in the celebration of winning the 2016 Smart from the Start Awards Grand Prize!
Treadwell Elementary in Memphis, TN
Treadwell Elementary in Memphis, TN is the Grand Prize Winner of the Smart from the Start Awards! A Pre-K through grade 5 school, Treadwell will roll out the Together Counts curriculum to their entire student body.
Treadwell Elementary School
Treadwell Elementary School Principal Tanisha Heaston, Jessica from Discovery Education, and HWCF Executive Director, Becky Johnson, were on hand to deliver the big news in May!
It’s all about the kids!
It’s all about the kids! We’re excited this group will benefit from the healthy changes at their school resulting from their Grand Prize win in the 2016 Smart from the Start Awards.
Plains Elementary School
Proud students from Plains Elementary School in Timberville, Virginia show off their grand prize win in the Healthy Playground Makeover Sweepstakes!
Grand prize winners
Principal “Mr. K” Kapuchuck and HWCF Executive Director, Becky Johnson, stand on the very spot where the new playground will be installed! They are grand prize winners in the Healthy Playground Makeover Sweepstakes and pretty excited to replace this decades old equipment.
Plains Elementary in Timberville, VA
Principal “Mr. K” Kapuchuck shows off the big check and big win for Plains Elementary in Timberville, VA! In dire need of a new playground, Mr. K pledged to jump out of a plane if the PTO raised $10,000 towards a new playground this year. When they did, he organized an assembly to show the video of his make good on the sky dive and surprised the school with the even bigger news they were winners of the 2016 Healthy Playground Makeover Sweepstakes!
Grand prize winners
Principal Healther McMullen along with faculty and staff accept the grand prize from HWCF’s Senior Advisor Susan Ralston in May 2016.
Woodland Elementary School
Woodland Elementary School students in Puyallup, Washington assemble to accept their grand prize in the Healthy Playground Makeover Sweepstakes!
Southside Elementary School
Students at Southside Elementary School in Nortonville, KY celebrate their grand prize grant of $30,000 for winning the Healthy Playground Makeover Sweepstakes!
New Beginnings Family Academy
Becky Johnson, Executive Director, Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation, hands out Together Counts™ wristbands to Smart From the Start Grand Prize Award winners at New Beginnings Family Academy in Bridgeport, CT
Artspace Charter School
Susan Ralston, Senior Advisor to the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation presents the Principal of Artspace Charter School in Swannoanoa, NC their grand prize grant of $30,000 for winning the Healthy Playground Makeover Sweepstakes.
New Beginnings Family Academy
Smart From the Start Grand Prize Award winners at New Beginnings Family Academy in Bridgeport, CT display their great big check for $20,000!
Southside Elementary School
Students at Southside Elementary School in Nortonville, KY are the grand prize winners of the Healthy Playground Makeover Sweepstakes!
Barry Elementary School
Students at Barry Elementary School – the Grand Prize Winner of the 2013-2014 Find Your Balance Challenge – demonstrate Energy Out by modeling ways to stay active and healthy at their celebratory assembly.
William E. Russell Elementary School
New England Patriots’ owner Robert Kraft surprised William E. Russell Elementary School in Dorchester, MA with the news that he would be matching the Find Your Balance Challenge’s $30,000 Grand Prize!
Just Like Grandma’s Childcare & Learning Center
High five! WE WON!! Preschoolers celebrate at Just Like Grandma’s Childcare & Learning Center in Columbus, Ohio. The school is the 2013 – 2014 grand prize winner of our “Smart from the Start Awards,” earning a $20,000 grant.
The 1st ever grand prize winners
The 1st ever grand prize winners of “Smart from the Start Awards” gather to capture the moment. Pictured with the school children receiving the $20,000 grant are members of the teaching staff and Director/Founder of the school and winning entrant, Keiana Davis(center). Also pictured, Julia Sabin(left), VP of Industry & Government Affairs from The J.M. Smucker Company and member of HWCF and Becky Johnson(right), VP Operations for HWCF.
Piedmont Elementary School
Students celebrate at Piedmont Elementary School in Piedmont, Alabama when they get the news they are Grand Prize winners in the 2013-2014 Healthy Playground Makeovers Sweepstakes.Schools in Action
Find inspiration from these schools who have developed creative plans to address some of their school’s unique challenges, resulting in positive changes to their wellness programs.
Treadwell Elementary
New Beginnings Family Academy
Barry Elementary School
Central Elementary School
St. Anthony Catholic School
Myrtle Beach Intermediate
Green Fields Country Day
St. Philip the Apostle
Oak Grove Lower Elementary School